Samsung Galaxy S22 5G vs S22 Ultra 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S22 series offers compelling options for smartphone enthusiasts. But with two distinct models – the S22 5G and the S22 Ultra 5G – choosing the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect, from display and performance to camera and battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the clear winner for users prioritizing a larger display, superior camera system (especially zoom capabilities), and longer battery life. The S22 5G remains a strong contender for those seeking a more compact, pocketable device with excellent performance and a vibrant display, at a slightly lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22 5G Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 092022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.75 x 2.78 x 0.30 in)163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight167 g / 168 g (mmWave) (5.89 oz)228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROWOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82", 0.7µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3700 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora PurplePhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, Red, Sky Blue, Bora Purple
ModelsSM-S901B, SM-S901B/DS, SM-S901U, SM-S901U1, SM-S901W, SM-S901N, SM-S9010, SM-S901E, SM-S901E/DSSM-S908B, SM-S908B/DS, SM-S908U, SM-S908U1, SM-S908W, SM-S908N, SM-S9080, SM-S908E, SM-S908E/DS
Price$ 172.63 / C$ 304.00 / £ 186.11 / € 198.01€ 397.07 / $ 269.98 / £ 304.99 / ₹ 63,899
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.21 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)1.05 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 85h Endurance rating 108h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.4 LUFS (Good) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 745496 (v8), 881428 (v9) GeekBench: 3682 (v5.1) GFXBench: 69fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 968359 (v9) GeekBench: 3657 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

  • Compact and pocketable
  • Excellent display
  • Flagship performance
  • Good camera

  • Shorter battery life
  • Less versatile camera
  • No S Pen support

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Large, immersive display
  • Exceptional camera system with zoom
  • Long battery life
  • Integrated S Pen
  • Premium design

  • Larger size can be unwieldy
  • Higher price
  • Potentially more expensive repairs

Display Comparison

The S22 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display (1266 nits vs 982 nits) offering better outdoor visibility. Both phones feature excellent Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the Ultra's larger size (6.8 inches vs 6.1 inches) and slightly higher resolution provide a more immersive viewing experience. The S22's smaller size makes it easier to handle with one hand.

Camera Comparison

The S22 Ultra's camera system is a major upgrade. It features a 108MP main sensor, a 10x optical zoom lens, and improved low-light performance. The S22 5G has a capable camera system, but lacks the Ultra's zoom capabilities and overall versatility. Both record excellent video, but the Ultra offers more advanced video features.

Performance

Both phones share the same core CPU architecture (Octa-core Cortex-X2, A710, A510), with slight variations in the Cortex-X2 clock speed depending on region (Europe vs ROW). Performance is generally excellent on both, handling demanding games and multitasking with ease. The chipset differences (Exynos vs Snapdragon) are often debated, but real-world performance differences are often minimal for most users. Thermal management can be a factor under sustained load, with the Ultra potentially exhibiting slightly better cooling due to its larger size.

Battery Life

The S22 Ultra's larger battery (5000mAh vs 3700mAh) provides significantly longer battery life, as reflected in the endurance rating (108h vs 85h). The S22 5G still offers decent battery life for a day of moderate use, but the Ultra provides more peace of mind for heavy users.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is ideal for users who prefer a smaller, more manageable phone with flagship performance and a great camera. It's perfect for those who value portability and don't need the absolute best camera features. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is best suited for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who want a large, immersive display and all-day battery life. The integrated S Pen is a significant bonus for productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S22 Ultra worth the extra money?
If you prioritize camera versatility, a larger display, and longer battery life, the S22 Ultra is worth the investment. However, if you prefer a more compact phone and are on a tighter budget, the S22 5G offers excellent value.
❓ Which chipset is better, Exynos or Snapdragon?
Performance differences between the Exynos and Snapdragon versions are often minimal in everyday use. However, Snapdragon variants often have slightly better efficiency and thermal management.